Andrew Sean Greer: Pulitzer Winner Teaches Writing | How I Write

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Andrew Sean Greer examines the intersection of intuition and technical precision in the writing process. First drafts function as an ethereal, subconscious outpouring, while revision serves as a surgical process to identify repeating images, thematic "rhymes," and structural integrity. Effective storytelling demands a balance between vulnerability and craft, where writers must treat editors as patients who identify pain points without necessarily dictating the cure. Comedy, in particular, requires the courage to address profound personal tragedies through precise timing and narrative distraction. By studying older literature rather than just contemporary trends, writers can cultivate a distinct voice and discover unconventional techniques—such as non-linear scene construction—that allow them to lean into their natural creative strengths rather than imitating popular formulas.